Markers

Harper tells U.S. to butt out on plans for defending Canada's Arctic:

"I want to address one other question before I go," Harper said Thursday in response to an unasked question as a lengthy session with reporters wound down.

"I've been very clear in the campaign that we have significant plans for national defence and for defence of our sovereignty, including Arctic sovereignty. It is the Canadian people we get our mandate from, not the U.S. ambassador."

Alberta health-care reforms must obey medicare rules, says Harper spokesman:

Alberta can go ahead with all the health reforms it likes - so long as it stays within the rules of the Canada Health Act, says a spokesman for the incoming Conservative government.

William Stairs was responding Friday to suggestions by Alberta Premier Ralph Klein that some of the province's reforms might violate the federal legislation...

Stairs said Harper made his position clear during the election campaign and reaffirmed it Friday: "Mr. Harper has said changes should be made within the Canada Health Act."

Harper draws the line

None of the people co-ordinating Stephen Harper's transition to prime minister were involved in his election campaign, and none will be involved in running or lobbying his government.

Harper's choice of transition team suggests the Conservative leader has learned from Paul Martin's example that it's a big mistake to rely on the same group of ultra-partisan advisers to run both campaigns and government, blurring the line between political and public interest.

In setting up his government, Harper appears to have recognized the value of independent advice from experienced people who have no personal stake in how the government is structured or staffed.